It is important to be able to assess if you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, and 1 in 5 people are. These questions will help to show eating disorder symptoms, though the behaviors can vary.
Do you ever feel to full and want to get rid of the food or calories?
Clearly this question will indicate bulimic behaviors. It is important to note, you do not necessarily have to make yourself vomit in order to be bulimic. There are many other ways a person tries to get rid of food when they feel they have overeaten. These methods include: exercise, laxative use, restriction, etc.
Do you feel out of control with food?
The most common indicator of an eating disorder is feeling out of control with food. This feeling is common in compulsive overeating, binge eating disorder and bulimia. If you or someone you know feels this way, you need to get help.
Have you recently lost more than 15 pounds in a three-month period?
Rapid weight loss is characteristic of anorexia. Excessive weight loss can come from any starting weight. You may find someone engaging in these behaviors who is not actually underweight by medical standards. A person may appear healthy if they start from a weight about ideal body weight range. A person who has had rapid weight loss like this needs to get treatment, regardless of their current weight.
Do others say you look fine, but you still see yourself as fat?
If you see yourself as overweight, but no one else does, this is an issue. Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized by not seeing your physical self accurately. This disorder can ruin your quality of life, and requires treatment from a trained professional.
Would you say that food dominates your life?
This question pertains to all types of eating disorders. Food and body thoughts will take up the majority of one’s thoughts when they are struggling with an eating disorder. This absolutely robs a person of the opportunity to enjoy their life. It is a constant distraction that prevents a person from really experiencing what is happening around them.
You are probably struggling with an eating disorder if you answered yes to at least two of the above questions. Recovery from an eating disorder requires professional treatment. Though some people have been able to quit engaging in behaviors alone, their underlying problems have not be solved. If someone is dealing with the above thoughts or scenarios, it is critical to immediately seek treatment.